The United States military reported on Sunday that its forces successfully intercepted a cruise missile launched by Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen towards an American destroyer. This incident marks the first direct attack against a US naval vessel amidst escalating tensions involving missile and drone attacks by the Houthis.
Central Command (CENTCOM) of the United States issued a statement detailing the events. On January 14, around 4:45 p.m. local time in Sanaa, the USS Laboon (DDG 58), operating in the Southern Red Sea, was targeted by an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Houthi militant areas in Yemen. US fighter aircraft successfully shot down the missile near the coast of Hodeida, preventing any injuries or damage to the vessel.
This attack comes in the context of the Houthis’ increasing actions against what they perceive as Israeli-linked shipping along the crucial Red Sea trade route. The Houthis have declared their actions as a form of solidarity with Gaza, where Israel has been conducting military operations in response to a Hamas incursion.
Earlier reports from Houthi media claimed new attacks by the US on Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday. However, these reports were denied by a US defense official who clarified that no such strikes had occurred.
The recent US and British military actions in Yemen, including the hitting of multiple Houthi targets, have raised concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict involving Israel and Hamas to a wider regional level. A follow-up strike by the US military targeted a Houthi radar site after an initial barrage against their military facilities.
The Houthi attacks have brought attention to the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital passage for around 12 percent of global trade, situated between southwest Yemen and Djibouti. These escalating conflicts have had an impact on trade flows in the region.
In response to the ongoing threats, the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a maritime security initiative aimed at safeguarding maritime traffic in the area. Despite several warnings and heightened security measures, the Houthis have continued their attacks, underscoring the complexity and volatility of the situation.
